Discerning between good and evil, continued

Questions that help us test, continued:

Does the action bother my conscience?

  • The conscience is a person’s inner awareness of conforming to the will of God or departing from it, resulting in either a sense of approval or condemnation.
  • Scripture talks about having a “good conscience”
    • I Timothy 1:5
    • I Timothy 1:19
    • Acts 23:1
    • Acts 24:16
  • Conscience can be tainted:
    • I Timothy 4:1-2 – seared with a hot iron
    • Ephesians 4:19 – being past feeling
  • Limited or incorrect knowledge is no excuse!
  • Romans 14:5 – let each be fully convinced in his own mind
  • Romans 14:23 – one who doubts is condemned

Does this action hinder my influence?

  • Matthew 5:13-16 – you are the light of the world
  • Philippians 2:14-15 – shine as lights in the world
  • Does my language hinder my influence?
    • Ephesians 5:1-11 – obscenity, foolish talk, crude talking
    • Ephesians 4:29 – no corrupt word
    • Ephesians 4:31 – put away evil speaking
    • If people are not ashamed of obscenity around you, maybe you aren’t having the influence you should.

Does the action dominate my life?

  • I Corinthians 6:12 – I will not be mastered by anything.

Could this action cause others to stumble?

  • I Corinthians 8:13 – if food makes my brother stumble, then I will never eat meat again

Can I carry out this action to the glory of God?

  • I Corinthians 10:31
  • Can I do this action and at the same time glorify God?